College catering gets top marks for sustainability policy

St Johns’ College was recognised as having one of the best sustainability policies in Catering amongst the Cambridge Colleges at a prestigious award ceremony last week.

Along with Robinson College, St John’s was given top marks at the University of Cambridge Catering Manager’s Committee Environmental Awards for its sustainable purchasing policy, and its approach towards sustainable food and staff training. The College also received a bronze Environmental Award certificate acknowledging its environmental policies on energy consumption and waste management.

The CMC Environmental Awards, in its fourth year, help to promote ethical and environmental practices within the Catering departments of Cambridge Colleges to encourage more sustainable activities. The awards were judged by Bev Sedley from Cambridge Carbon Footprint and Ann Mitchell from Transition Cambridge, and were presented on 21 October at Trinity Hall. Representatives from approximately twenty Colleges were in attendance, as well as environmental committees, student bodies, and local suppliers including Milton Brewery, Northrop Butchers and Ely Gin Company.

Bill Brogan, Catering and Conference Manager at St John’s, said: “We are very proud of our Sustainability Policy, which is updated every year. We are also the first Cambridge College to join the Sustainable Restaurant Association, which helps restaurants source food sustainably and manage resources efficiently, and other Colleges have now been encouraged to join.” St John’s is also looking into introducing low carbon dining to further improve its sustainability standards.

A week of environmental activities will take place at St John’s between 10 and 14 November to encourage those who live and work at the College to consider how they can contribute to a more sustainable future. The forthcoming Green Week, a student-run week of events, includes a sustainable super hall with locally-sourced produce, a sustainable food talk and tasting, and a local beer and cheese tasting event. For more information see the Green Week Programme.